When I wrote the outline [for the episode], he wasn’t dead in the outline. And when I started writing the script, it really felt like a natural end to the episode. I had always envisioned following the pattern of the original show, with the last show that we ever do being the capture of Wo Fat. But I felt, when I was writing it, that that felt a little predictable for people who watch the show and know the original one…I felt like if I was going to surprise the audience at any point, this would be it.

In the rebooted show, which debuted in the fall of 2010, Wo Fat 2.0 (Mark Dacascos) was used a lot more than the original Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh). Rebooted Wo Fat appeared in 15 episodes in less than five full seasons. By comparison, original Wo Fat appeared 13 times in 12 full seasons of Hawaii Five-O (which was how the original show was spelled). This counts his appearance in the pilot as only one appearance (even though the pilot was later re-edited as a two-part episode). We’re counting all other two-part episodes as one appearance for for each part. The original Wo Fat didn’t appear at all in seasons 6, 10 and 11.

Rebooted Wo Fat was supposed to be mastermind *and* terrific fighter. Thus, he was lean, mean and a master of martial arts. Portly original Wo Fat was content to be a mastermind who let others do the violence and generally manipulated events. It should be noted that Wo Fat 2.0 had virtual control of Hawaii (at the end of season 1 it was revealed the governor was under his control) but nobody knew it.

The first “Hookman” led off the 1973-74 season. The story concerned a double amputee out for revenge against lawman Steve McGarrett and others. It won an Emmy award for composer Morton Stevens, who also wrote the Five-O theme and established the musical template for the original series.

Here’s an excerpt from the EW.com article:

Peter Weller (RoboCop) is set direct the episode and guest star as the title villain, taking over the role originally played by double amputee Jay J. Armes.

“It was a stand-out and a fan-favorite,” says executive producer Peter Lenkov of choosing the episode from a batch of many contenders. “It sort of came to everyone’s mind — everyone remembered ‘Hookman.’”

Part of the episode is on YouTube, at least for now. It provides a sample of the score that won Stevens his Emmy:

Edward Asner, the only actor to play the same character in the original Hawaii Five-O and new Hawaii Five-0, is coming back for another appearance as (not really) reformed villain August March, the Hollywood Deadline Web site says.
An excerpt:

His storyline is being extended for the second episode of Season 3, we’re told, and he is headed to Hawaii next week to shoot his scenes.

Peter Lenkov, one of three executive producers of the new Hawaii Five-0 series, is teasing the audience via Twitter to keep viewers interested as the second season unfolds. Some examples:

Dinner with Mark D (Wo Fat) tonight. Can’t wait to tell him how badass he is in the next batch of eps.

For those who have asked: Jenna Kaye WILL be back. Prepare to be shocked.

“Mark D” is Mark Dacascos, who plays the rebooted Wo Fat, arch-enemy of Steve McGarrett 2.0 (Alex O’Loughlin). Jenna Kaye is another character from the original Hawaii Five-O show who has been turned into a woman. In the opening episode of season two, it appeared she may be aligned with Wo Fat, but things may be more complicated. To check out Lenkov’s tweets, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile, the show continues to use YouTube as a marketing tool. This promo for the Oct. 3 episode on CBS will look familiar to those who’ve seen Moonraker:

SOTB presumably means Sunset On The Beach, the Honolulu site where the new Five-0’s pilot was shown prior to the new show’s television premier last September on CBS. Amazon.com has already begun accepting pre-orders despite the lack of a formal release date.

In any event, Lenkov’s tweet about the upcoming DVD release of the reboot demonstrates that CBS is utilizing 21st Century marketing methods. CBS during the first season of the reboot uploaded episode previews and other snippets to spur interest in the new Five-0. (Style reminder: original show spelled it Five-O, with a capital O, while the new show spells Five-0 with a numeral zero.)